Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin Von Steuben, German army officer
Background
Steuben, Friedrich Wilhelm Ludolf Gerhard Augustin Von was born on September 17, 1730 in Magdeburg, Prussia, Germany. Son of Wilhelm Augustin and Maria Dorothea (von Jagow) von S. Served as staff officer with rank of captain under Frederick the Great in Seven Years War.
Education
Recommended as military expert to American government by Benjamin Franklin and French officials. Arrived at Portsmouth, New Hampshire (U.S.), 1777. Directed by Continental Congress to serve under George Washington at Valley Forge.
Acting inspector general Continental Army, highly successful in drilling the army, appointed inspector general with rank of major general, 1778.
Fought with distinction at Battle of Monmouth. Wrote drill manual Regulations for the Order and Discipline of the Troops of the United States (invaluable for training American volunteers, immediately adopted by Continental Army), winter 1778-1779.
Career
Expert to American government. General Continental Army, highly successful in drilling the army, appointed General with rank of major.
General Washington’s representative with Continental Congress in efforts to reorganize army, winter 1779-1780.
President German Society.